How tempting, just when your consultation with the Doctor is drawing to a close….”Oh, just another thing Doctor…..”. This is a frequent after-thought by patients when they have a medication review appointment. It puts your doctor in a difficult position as the appointment time is designed for just one discussion topic. If you wish to discuss more than one problem with the doctor then please ask the receptionist for a longer appointment time when you book with us. This will help the doctor to keep to time and alleviate waiting problems for other patients. If all patients accept the spirit of this request then it would make a real difference for everyone.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Head Lice

They are the thing many parents dread. Yet it’s thought that up to one in three children in the UK may get head lice at some point during any given year, with those aged between four and 11 most at risk.

The good news is, once spotted, head lice can be treated effectively with products available over the counter at pharmacies.

HEAD LICE, TRUE OR FALSE?

Head lice prefer dirty hair to clean hair

False: Head lice like any hair, regardless of its length or how clean it is

Head lice, jump from one head to another

False: Head lice can’t jump, fly or swim

You can catch head lice from animals

False: Head lice only affect humans

Head lice feed by biting the scalp and feeding on blood

True: Unfortunately, as horrible as it sounds, that’s exactly what they do

Head lice products should be used to prevent infestations

False: Lotions and sprays designed to treat head lice should only be used if you have a live infestation (that is, if you have found a live louse on your or your child’s head). However you can buy products that may help prevent head lice.

Children with head lice shouldn’t go to school

False: Keeping them from going to school isn’t likely to help, as it’s likely they’ve had head lice for several weeks.

If your head itches, you definitely have head lice

False: Head lice can only be diagnosed if a live head louse is found

What are head lice?

Head lice are the size of a pin head when hatched and the size of a sesame seed when fully grown. They have six legs and no wings, and are grey/brown in colour. But being so small, head lice can be difficult to detect, and the first you know about it is when your child starts scratching their head. Then again, since the itching is caused by an allergy to the lice – and not everyone is allergic to them – some children and adults don’t notice they have them because their heads don’t even feel itchy.

How do you spot them?

The truth is, head lice can be difficult to spot, even when you look closely. That’s why it’s important to check your child’s hair very carefully, paying attention to the hair behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, if you suspect they may have head lice or if there’s an outbreak at their school.

The best way to confirm head lice is to use a special comb called a detection comb. These fine-toothed combs should have a tooth spacing of 0.2-0.3mm and are available at pharmacies.

How do you treat them?

If you find one or more live head lice in your child’s hair, the good news is there are lots of over-the-counter products available.

THE LIFE CYCLE OF HEAD LICE

It’s a good idea to understand what happens during the life cycle of head lice, as breaking the life cycle is essential if you want to stop them spreading.

First the female louse lays eggs close to the root of hairs, where the scalp keeps them warm. The eggs are tiny, which makes them difficult to see with the naked eye.

The lice hatch from their eggs after seven to 10 days, leaving the empty eggshells attached to the hairs. These empty eggshells are white and known as nits. As the hairs they’re attached to grow, nits become more noticeable.

After nine or 10 days, the baby lice become fully grown. At this stage, they can spread to other heads, with the female adult lice starting to lay their own eggs. So to stop head lice spreading, they must be removed before they can start laying eggs (that is, within nine days of hatching!).

Fast Facts

Over-50s take fewer sickies

The older generation is more reliable than younger people when it comes to employment, says a report by insurance company RIAS. In fact, people aged 50 and older take fewer sick days and fake fewer illnesses by pulling a sickie than those in their 20s and 30s, the survey suggests.

Showing off affects your health

One in eight men who tries to impress their friends by drinking more alcohol and eating spicy food experiences regular heartburn, claims a OnePoll survey carried out for Torax Medical. And it’s not just younger men who get carried away when they’re out with the lads. According to the survey’s findings, men aged 45 or older are a third more likely to order the spiciest dish on the menu than younger men.

But if you missed it, we will be vaccinating opportunistically throughout November and December. If you have any concerns, please ask a member of staff. If you are over 65, you are also eligible for vaccination against pneumococcal – if you would like more information, please ask the doctor or nurse.

Groups eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine for 2015/16

The Department of Health have issued to surgeries a list of eligible patients who should be offered the seasonal flu vaccine. But if you think you are in an “at risk” group because of an underlying medical condition please check with your doctor or nurse.

Eligible groups

All patients aged 65 and over

Chronic respiratory disease

Chronic heart disease

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic liver disease

Chronic neurological disease

Diabetes

Immunosuppression

Pregnant women

People living in long-stay residential care homes

Main Carer of an older or disabled person

Children aged 2, 3, & 4 on 31 August 2015

Will you eat, drink and stay healthy this Christmas?

Find out if you’re prepared for a healthy Christmas this year by taking our quiz …

How long will it take for a turkey to defrost in a fridge at 4%C?

a) One hour per kg

b) 2-4 hours per kg

c) 6-8 hours per kg

d) 10-12 hours per kg

To make sure your turkey is cooked you can use a food thermometer to check the thickest part of the bird reaches which temperature for two minutes?

a) 50°C

b) 70°C

c) 99°C

d) 120°C

Which of the following Christmas party snacks has the fewest calories?

a) Handful of ready salted crisps

b) Two chees straws

c) Three pieces of chocolate orange

d) Salmon and cream cheese bite

Which of the following could pose a choking hazard to young children over the festive period?

a) Burst balloons

b) Button batteries

c) Fallen Christmas tree decorations

d) All of the above

If you’ve spent the evening drinking at a Christmas party, how long should you leave before driving home the next day?

a) 8 hours

b) 10 hours

c) 12 hours

d) 16 hours

Which of the following drinks has the highest number of alcohol units?

On a November night in 1605, Guy Fawkes (left) was arrested while guarding explosives that plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords in a bid to kill King James 1.

2011 was the first time fireworks were allowed in Westminster since the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Every year around 1,000 people in Britain visit A&E for a firework-related injury in the run up to Bonfire Night (half of these injuries suffered by under-18s).

2,000ft is the height that a firework shell can reach (equivalent to 120 times the height of a giraffe).

150 is the speed rockets can reach (mph)

36 barrels of gunpowder were used in the Gunpowder plot.

£70m is the amount spent on fireworks in the UK each year.

£5,000 is the amount Britons can be fined for selling or using fireworks illegally.

1,100ºC the temperature at which sparklers can burn (11 times hotter than boiling water).

How to spot the signs of dementia

Getting an early diagnosis of dementia could help you or someone you know get the treatment and support that’s needed, so that you or they can lead an active, fulfilled life.

Most people associate memory loss with dementia, but there are other symptoms too, say specialists Dr James Warner and Vivien Ziwocha from Red & Yellow Care. These include the following:

Losing track of the time. While this can happen to anyone, having regular problems with orientation may be a precursor for dementia.

Unable to use gadgets. Dementia reduced people’s memory and their ability to put tasks in sequence, so if you have problems using gadgets around the house – such as your microwave or mobile phone – it could be an initial sign of dementia.

Behaving less sensibly. Another common sign of dementia is a reduced ability to plan and think sensibly – for example, if you start doing things you don’t normally do, like forgetting to pay bills.

Loss of smell. Studies suggest that this could be an early sign of dementia because the condition affects the olfactory bulb in the brain.

Sugar cravings. If you start wanting more cake or chocolate, it could also be a sign, as experts believe some people with Alzheimer’s disease develop a preference for sweet food.

How well do you know Christmas Calories?

The recommended number of calories you should eat on an ordinary day is 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men. But on Christmas Day, its been estimated that people go through about 6,000 calories – which is the amount you’d burn if you went jogging for 10 hours (that’s the equivalent of more than two full marathons for the average non-athlete runner). But being aware of the calories in Christmas foods could help you to choose healthier options – so try our quiz to find out how much you know…

1 How many calories are in 15g of turkey skin?

a) 29

b) 44

c) 70

d) 108

2 An average portion of Christmas pudding weighs about 100g. How many calories does it contain?

a) 220

b) 330

c) 440

d) 550

3 Which of the following is the lowest-calorie topping for Christmas pudding, gram for gram?

a) Brandy butter

b) Single cream

c) Half cream

d) Crème Fraiche

4 How many calories will you save if you remove the icing and marzipan from an average-size piece of Christmas cake before eating it?

a) 14

b) 27

c) 45

d) 60

5 Approximately how many calories are there in half a bottle of red or dry white wine?

a) 250

b) 190

c) 150

d) 105

6 Which of the following sweets has the fewest calories, gram for gram?

Congratulations you’re well ahead of the pack when it comes to awareness about Christmas calories.

7-12 Points:

CHRISTMAS CALORIE SCHOLAR

Well done, you’re reasonably aware of the calories found in Christmas foods, so you may be able to avoid eating and drinking too much this year.

0-6 Points:

CHRISTMAS CALORIE NOVICE

Well there’s no easy way to say this, but you don’t have much of a clue about how many calories are in Christmas foods. But if you can’t be clever about calories, you can at least burn some of them off by going for a post-Christmas lunch walk. You know it makes sense.

The most extreme places on Earth

Sunniest

Bring your sleeping mask if you want to catch 40 winks in Yuma, Arizona. Of the possible 4,456 hours of daylight each year, the sun shines for roughly 4,029 hours, or about 90% of the time.

Hottest

Death Valley, the aptly named Californian desert basin, produced 56.7ºC on 10 July 1913, which remains the hottest ever recorded on Earth. It is also the lowest and driest area in North America.

Wettest

With an annual rainfall of 11.872 millimetres, Mawsynram, a village in north-eastern India, comes with an umbrella warning. Moisturiser certainly isn’t needed for those living in the Meghalaya estate village. London receives around 650 millimetres per year.

Driest

The Atacama Desert in Chile did not have any significant rainfall between 1570 and 1971, according to some evidence. On average, it receives 15 millimetres of rain in a year, though some weather stations have never received rain.

Coldest

At more than 12,400ft, this spot on Dome Fuji would freeze your eyes, nose and lungs in minutes. The previous coldest temperature was recorded at Vostok Station, also in Antarctica, where -89.2ºC was logged.

Windiest

With regular winds measuring stronger than 150 miles per hour, just 25 miles per hour weaker than the strongest produced by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, Antarctica’s Commonwealth Bay is one for those on sail boats.

Shingles

The national shingles immunisation programme was introduced by the Department of Health to help protect those most at risk from shingles and its complications.

We are providing a shingles vaccination for eligible patients, the table below will tell you if you are eligible.

Eligible patients for year 2 (from 1st September 2014 to 31st August 2015)

Age

If you were born on or between:

70 on 1st September 2014

02/09/1943

01/09/1944

78 on 1st September 2014

02/09/1935

01/09/1936

79 on 1st September 2014

02/09/1934

01/09/1935

70 on 1st September 2013

02/09/1942

01/09/1943

90% of adults raised in the UK have had chickenpox. After having chickenpox, the virus stays inside your body and can recur as shingles later in life. Even those people who had a mild case of chickenpox as a child, or didn’t have any obvious symptoms may still be at risk of developing shingles.

Although not everyone develops shingles, as we get older our immune system weakens which increases the chance of getting shingles.

If you would like to find out more, ask the nurse or doctor or book an appointment.

THINK! WHY A&E?

This is the NHS advice for using its services.

A&E is for emergencies and life-threatening illnesses only

SELF CARE

Minor illnesses, ailments and injuries can be treated with plenty of rest and a well-stocked medicine cabinet that includes painkillers; cold and flu remedies; plasters; and a thermometer.

PHARMACY

Pharmacists offer a range of health services. As well as dispensing prescriptions and other medicines, your pharmacy can provide free confidential expert advice and treatment for a variety of common illnesses and complaints, without having to book a GP appointment.

GP SURGERY

If you have an illness or injury that won’t go away, make an appointment with your GP. They provide a range of services by appointment, and when absolutely essential, can make home visits. If you need to see a GP outside of the surgery’s normal opening hours, telephone the surgery and your call will be forwarded to the GP out-of-hours service.

WALK-IN/SAME DAY CENTRES

These centres provide consultations, guidance and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, as well as emergency contraception and sexual health advice. There are two centres on the Fylde Coast, (locations can be found on the back of this leaflet) both operating seven days a week from 8am onwards.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a free telephone service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should call 111 if you urgently need medical help or information, but your situation is not life-threatening. When you dial 111, you will be directed to the best local services to make sure you get fast and effective treatment.

A&E OR RING 999

A&E departments treat patients with major, life-threatening illnesses and injuries, so you should only call 999 or visit A&E when your situation is critical. Using a more appropriate service will save you time – and could save lives.

Hay Fever at Christmas?

We were interested to see a recent article about Christmas trees. If you start sneezing, the minute your Christmas tree goes up, there could be several reasons why. Pollen grains can collect in the bark of a real tree, plus live trees can collect mould on their trunk and needles – all of which may cause hay fever symptoms in those who are susceptible. Even artificial trees can make you sneeze because of the dust they may have accumulated since the previous year.

Tips for fussy eaters

If you want your child to eat more healthily, try telling them what they can eat instead of what they can’t. Why? Because scientists believe we respond more positively when we’re told what we can do, rather than what we can’t do.

“If you’re a parent, it’s better to focus on the benefits of broccoli and not the harms of hamburgers,” says Dr Brian Wansink, who led the research.

We wonder what you might think of Dr Wansink’s comments!

DATE TO REMEMBER

November 1 – December 31

Movember/Decembeard

With the men’s health campaigns Movember and Decembeard just around the corner, it’s time to down your razors and start growing some serious facial hair.

First, grow a moustache for Movember to show your support and raise funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems: find out more at uk.movember.com

Then try cultivating a full Grizzly Adams for Decembeard to raise awareness of bowel cancer (more information at decembeard.org).

Critics’ best American Films

A new poll of film critics from around the world has been conducted to determine the best American films in history. The oldies really are the goodies, the results indicate – none of the films in the top 15 was made in the last 40 years.

Citizen Kane (1941)

The Godfather (1972)

Vertigo (1958)

2001: A space Odyssey (1968)

The Searchers (1956)

Sunrise (1927)

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Psycho (1960)

Casablanca (1942)

The Godfather Part II (1974)

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

Chinatown (1974)

North by Northwest (1959)

Nashville (1975)

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Thursday afternoon closures

Like all surgeries in Rotherham we are involved in the Rotherham - Wide Training Events.

These are held every month on a Thursday afternoon. We close our surgery from 12 noon for the remainder of the day to allow all staff and doctors to attend.

The Thursdays we are closed (from 12 noon) are:

12 November 2015

10 December 2015

14 January 2016

11 February 2016

Feedback: If you would like us to include anything particular in the next newsletter, please write to: The Practice Manager, Broom Lane Medical Centre, 70 Broom Lane, Rotherham S60 3EW.